MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Saint Leo University volleyball closed out its weekend on I-95 at Florida Tech on Saturday afternoon. The Lions kept the first two sets close but ultimately dropped the match 3-0 to the host Panthers. Sabrina Valentin led the Lions in digs for second straight game. The Green & Gold fall to 1-8 overall and 0-4 in SSC play. 
 
Jala Drayton led the Lions with nine kills on a .263 hitting percentage while adding three block assists. Kaitlyn Anderson tallied five kills and a team-high six service aces, while Alexa Gandolfo added five kills and two block assists. Setter Tajma Muharemovic paced the offense with 21 assists and contributed six digs and one ace. Sabrina Valentin posted three kills and a team-best 10 digs, and libero Mia Moser added three digs and a service ace.

How It Happened: FLORIDA TECH 3, SAINT LEO 0
Set 1 | Florida Tech 25, Saint Leo 20
Saint Leo opened the match strong, keeping pace with Florida Tech through 11 ties and three lead changes. Drayton and Anderson powered the Lions' attack, while Muharemovic connected efficiently with her hitters. Despite an 8-8 tie midway through, Florida Tech used a short run to build separation and closed the set 25-20.
 
Set 2 | Florida Tech 25, Saint Leo 19
The Lions continued to challenge in the second set, hitting .152 as a team while staying within striking distance throughout. Anderson's serving provided a major spark with multiple aces, and Drayton continued her steady presence at the net. Saint Leo trailed just 20-18 late, but the Panthers closed with a 5-1 stretch to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Set 3 | Florida Tech 25, Saint Leo 14
Florida Tech carried the momentum into the third, while Saint Leo tried to regroup behind Valentin's defensive effort and kills from Gandolfo. The Panthers' .297 hitting percentage in the final frame proved the difference as they secured the sweep 25-14.

Inside the Numbers

• Saint Leo recorded 27 kills on a .039 hitting percentage compared to Florida Tech's .283.
• Jala Drayton led the Lions with nine kills and three block assists.
• Kaitlyn Anderson tallied five kills and a match-high six service aces.
• Alexa Gandolfo added five kills and two block assists.
• Tajma Muharemovic finished with 21 assists, six digs, and one ace.
• Sabrina Valentin posted three kills and a team-high 10 digs.
• Mia Moser added three digs and one service ace.
• The Lions totaled nine aces as a team and kept the first two sets within five points.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo is back home Thursday night for its annual Athletes for Athletes game as it hosts the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish at 6 p.m. in the Marion Bowman Center.